Pen desk set



May 24, 1938. M SYPHER' 2,118,241

PEN DESK SET Filed Deo. 1, 1956 im ATTOMEY.

Patentedy May 24, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PEN DESK SETApplication December 1, 1936, Serial No. 113,567

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to pen desk sets and more particularly topen desk sets adapted to engage the writing end of a fountain pen or thelike and hold the pen in a convenient position.

Pen desk sets usually comprise a tubular member adapted to receive andsupport the writing end of a fountain pen and an adjustable swivelmounted in a base and connected to the lower end of the tubular memberto permit the pen to be supported in various inclined positions withrespect to the base. An objection to these sets is that such swivels areexpensive to make and difficult to assemble and are not adapted toWithstand the rough usage to which they may be subjected. Also, holdingthe pen in an inclined position is not satisfactory because the nib hasa tendency to bleed or leak which results in the loss of ink and soilingof the desk set. In some cases, the upwardly extending end of the penholder is in the Way of the person using the desk, particularly if largesheets of paper are spread upon the desk. Another objection is that thenib frequently is damaged when the user of the pen attempts to place itinto the tubular part. In order to overcome these objections, desk setshave been utilized which hold the pen in substantially horizontalposition, but these have not been successful because they did not holdthe pen securely or did not seal the nib and feed bar from theatmosphere to prevent the ink from drying, or Were too expensive to makeand too -complicated to operate.

The present invention aims to provide a simple, inexpensive pen desk setfor securely engaging the nib end of a fountain pen holder or the liketo hold the pen in a convenient position so that it may be readilyremoved and replaced, but yet will not be in the way of the person usingthe desk. The invention also aims to seal the nib end of the pen topr-event the ink from evaporating or drying.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensiveand attractive desk set for holding a fountain pen or the like in aconvenient position to permit it to be easily removed and replaced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pen desk set forsupporting a fountain pen in a position which prevents damage to thenibthereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a desk set for clampingthe nib end of a fountain pen holder to hold the pen against accidentalmovement.

Another object of the invention is to provide (Cl. 1Z0-108) resilientmeans for normally holding the clamping members in pen grippingposition.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting theposition of the clamping members to insure proper engagement of the pen.5

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for housing thenib -end of a fountain pen adapted to seal the nib and feed bar from theatmosphere.

Another object of the invention is to provide suitable means for guidinga fountain pen into clamping relation with the desk set by sidevvisemovement thereof to facilitate inserting the pen into the clampingdevice.

A further object of the invention is to provide l15 suitable guide meansadapted to facilitate removing the pen from the desk set.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orWill be 20 indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentor" the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing,forming a part of the specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspectiveview illustrating a preferred -embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational View, partly in section, of one of the penclamping members;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2,illustrating the pen nibsealed from the atmosphere;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3illustrating the pen clamping means slightly part-ed during removal orinsertion of a pen holder;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, partly in section, showing apreferred base con struction; and

Fig. 6 is another embodiment of the invention.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. l to 5,there is shown a pen desk set comprising a basel, a pair of pivotallymounted clamping members 2 adapted to engage the pen nib end of afountain pen 4, and an` upwardly extending portion 5 on the base adaptedto support the other end of the pen holder. The base and the clampingmembers may be constructed of any suitable material but preferably aremade of a molding material, such as a synthetic resin, which isattractive in appearance and can be readily molded. The base may haveany suitable ornamental shape and may be provided with decorativeportions 6 applied thereto in accordance with the method described in myco-pending application, Serial No. 24,518, filed June l, 1935. Theclamping members and the holder supporting portion preferably have anattractive shape, herein illustrated as semi-circular, to give the deskset a pleasing appearance.

The clamping members, about to be described, are mounted adjacent toeach other. They are substantially symmetrical in their preferred formand are provided with corresponding recesses which cooperate to providea substantially tubular housing for the nib end of a fountain pen. Eachof the clamping members is provided with a substantially horizontalrecess I closed at one end to form a chamber for receiving the pen nibof a fountain pen or the like. In order to seal the chamber, a suitablegroove 9 may be provided in each of the clamping members, which extendsabout the top, bottom and closed end of the recesses and is adapted toreceive a rubber sealing gasket I or the like. The gasket preferably ispermanently secured in the groove 9 of one of the clamping members andprojects outwardly therefrom to provide a portion I I adapted to t intothe groove 9 of the other clamping member when the clamping members areheld in normally closed relation (Fig. 3). The groove 9 which receivesthe portion II of the gasket preferably is rounded at its edges 8 or isV-shaped to facilitate entry of the gasket. If desired, however, thegasket grooves may be omitted and a suitable gasket may be cemented orotherwise secured to one of the clamping members and provided with asurface adapted to contact the surface of the other clamping member toform a seal.

In order to hold the fountain pen securely between the clamping members,each clamping member 2 has a recess l2 extending longitudinallyoutwardly from the recess 'I which terminates in an opening I3.Preferably, the recesses I2 conform substantially to the shape of thepen holder at the nib end of the pen and are flared slightly at theiropen ends to facilitate inserting the holder between the clampingmembers.

The clamping members 2 may each be provided with an upwardly extendinggroove I4 intermediate the recesses 'I and I2, the grooves cooperatingto receive a rib, bead or projection I5 on the end of the pen holder andto lock the holder against accidental removal in a longitudinaldirection with respect to the recesses 'i' and I2. rihe grooves i4preferably are semi-circular (Fig. 4) and cooperate with each other toprovide a circular groove for embracing the rib or bead i5 of the pen toseal the nib within the chamber.

To facilitate removing the pen holder by lifting it upwardly, a grooveI6 extends upwardly from each of the grooves I4 and terminatessubstantially at the upper end of the clamping members. The grooves I5are also designed to guide the rib or bead I5 on the pen holder into thegrooves I4. For this purpose, the grooves flare sidewardly or areenlarged at their upper ends to provide a funnel-shaped groove forguiding .the rib on a fountain pen downwardly when the pen is forcedbetween the clamping members. In order to facilitate spreading theclamping members and to gain access to the grooves I6, the upperportions of the clamping members may be notched or bevelled downwardlyat I'I to provide a converging guiding recess for the pen holder.

Preferably, the clamping members are pivotally mounted to the top of thebase to permit them to be moved apart during removal er replacing of thepen. A preferred device for accomplishing this result comprises aplateror mounting member 2D concealed in a recess i9 in the uppersurface of the base and secured to the base by screws or bolts 2iextending through apertures 22 in the base having nuts 2d threadedthereto. The plate 2D, preferably, is provided with spaced trunnions 26at each side thereof for receiving pins 2'! carrying trunnions 29 ofhinge members 39 secured to the bottom of the clamping members by screws3| or other suitable means.

The clamping members preferably are normally held in closed position byresilient means which herein are illustrated as a coiled spring 32mounted on each of the pins 2'! between the spaced trunnions 25. Thesprings are each provided with a laterally extending portion 33 at oneend seated in a groove 3ft at the bottom of the clamping members whichbearsy downwardly against the top of the hinge members 3i? and are eachprovided with an extending portion 35 at the other end which bearsupwardly against the bottom of the mounting plate 2t. Preferably, therecess I9 in the upper surface of the base I is grooved to receive thespring portions 35 or has a deeper recess portion 35 therein so that theplate lies flush with the bottom of the recess I9.

In some instances, it may be desirable to adjust the position of thehinge members 39 with respect to the plate 2G to hold the clampingmembers carried by the hinges in proper pen receiving position. Toaccomplish this, the mounting plate 2Q is provided with a threadedbushing 3l at each side thereof for receiving an upwardly extendingscrew 33 adapted to act as a stop for engaging the bottom of the hingemember Sii and to limit downward movement thereof. By threading thescrew upwardly or downwardly, the distance which the hinges movedownwardly toward the base can be accurately adjusted so thatcorresponding recesses of the clamping members 2 register properly. Thescrews and bushings eX- tend through apertures` 3S formed in the base sothat they do not interfere with the mounting of the plate 2U.Preferably, the screws are held in adjusted position by nuts 43 toprevent them from being moved out of adjustment by the action of thehinge members thereon.

If desired, the top end 49 of the pen holder may be supported by asuitable supporting member M having a groove l2 therein shaped to fitthe end 46 of the pen. The supporting member preferably has anornamental shape and may be integral with the base or may be attachedthereto.

While any suitable base construction may be utilized, the presentinvention contemplates using a base formed of a synthetic moldingcompound which may be readily molded into any desired shape and can beprovided in a great number of colors or combinations of colors. Suchmaterials have definite advantages over marble or onyx in that they areless expensive and can withstand rough usage without danger of breaking,The amount of material required for the base is reduced to a minimum byproviding an enlarged recess 44 at the underside of the base, whichpreferably conforms to the shape of the base. This recess provides aspace for the bushings 37, adjusting screws 33, and the screws ZI andnuts 24 for securing the plate member 20 carrying the clamping members2. To give the base suiiicient weight to prevent it from sliding ortipping when it is placed on a desk, a heavy plate formed of iron, leador other suitable material, may be seated in the recess 44 with itsbottom ush with or slightly above the bottom of the base. The plate 45is spaced from the underside of the recess 44 by threaded lugs orbushings 46 adapted to receive screws 41 extending through the plate andconnecting the plate to the base. The plate preferably is concealed by astrip of felt 49 or other suitable materials adapted to act as acushion.

In Fig. 6 a modified desk set is shown wherein the pen holding recessesare inclined with respect to the base so that the holder is held in aninclined position. If desired, the clamping members may be triangular inshape to harmonize with the inclination of the pen. The clamping memberspreferably are similar to the clamping members 2, described in thepreferred embodiment, and the preferred base may likewise be utilized.

The operation of the pen desk set described above will be understood byreferring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing. In Fig. 3the clamping members 2 are shown held in normal or closed position bythe springs. The recesses I cooperate to form a chamber for the nib 8 ofthe pen while the gasket portion II extends into the groove 9 of one ofthe clamping members to form a seal. The grooves I4 seat the rib or beadI 5 of the pen holder and the pen holder is clamped between the recessesI4. When the pen is removed, it is lifted upwardly as shown in Fig. 4whereby the grooves I4 and I guide the rib I5 to spread the clampingmembers apart in opposition to the springs. After the pen is removed,the springs close the clamping members to exclude dust or dirt. The penmay be replaced by placing the rib I5 into the grooves I6 which guidethe rib to grooves I4. The holder upon downward movement then bearsagainst the notch or recess I'I to spread the clamping members toreceive the nib end of the pen. When the pen is inserted in this manner,the pen nib does not come in contact with any of the holder parts andcannot be damaged.v If desired, the pen may also be replaced byinserting the nib end into the opening I3 of the recesses I2, andpushing the nib end of the holder against the are of the recesses whichact as a cam to spread the clamping members.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a simple,inexpensive pen desk set adapted to retain a fountain pen or the like ina convenient position. The pen is securely clamped against accidentallongitudinal or lateral movement and the nib is sealed from theatmosphere. The devices for mounting the pen clamping means areconcealed and do not mar the appearance of the desk set. 'Ihe clampingmeans can be readily adjusted at the factory and will remain in adjustedposition during the life of the set. The base is attractive inappearance and provides a suitable support for the holder. The parts ofthe present device are rugged in construction and can readily withstandany rough usage to which they may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention. I claim:

l. A pen desk set comprising a base, a member having a recess thereinfor receiving the nib end of a fountain pen, and an upwardly extendingrecess substantially at the middle of said first recess for receiving abead or rib at the nib end of the fountain pen, a secend'member adjacentto said rst member having recesses therein cooperatingwith the recessesof said rst member to retain a fountain pen therein, and means forpivotally mounting said members on said base.

2. A pen desk set comprising a member having a recess therein forreceiving the nib end of a fountain pen, and an upwardly extendingrecess for receiving a bead or rib at the nib end of the fountain pen,said second recess being wider at its upper end than at its lower end tofacilitate inserting the pen by sidewise movement thereof, and a secondmember adjacent to said first member having cooperating recesses adaptedto provide a holder for a fountain pen, and a base for mounting saidmembers.

3. A pen desk set comprising a base, a member having a recess thereinfor receiving the nib end of the holder of a fountain pen, and a secondrecess for receiving a bead or rib at the end of the holder, one of saidrecesses being flared to facilitate inserting the pen, a second memberadjacent to said rst member having recesses therein adapted to cooperatewith the recesses cf said first member to provide a support for afountain pen, and means for mounting said members on said base.

4. A pen desk set comprising a base, a pair of adjacent partible memberspivotally mounted on said base having recesses therein adapted tocooperate to provide chamber for receiving the nib of a fountain pen,sealing means extending about the recess of one of said members andadapted to cooperate with the other el said members to provide a seal,and means for normally urging said members toward each other to rendersaid sealing means effective.

5. A pen desk set comprising a base, a pair of adjacent substantiallysymmetrical partible members each having a longitudinally extendingrecess therein for receiving the pen nib end of a fountain pen or thelike, said recesses cooperating with each other to provide asubstantially tubular chamber for supporting the fountain pen, a base,and hinge members. for mounting said members on said base adapted tonormally hold said members adjacent each other.

6. A pen desk set comprising a member having a recess therein forreceiving the pen nib end of a fountain pen or the like, a second memberhaving a recess therein adapted to cooperate with the recess of saidfirst member 'to provide a chamber for supporting the fountain pen, abase, means for pivotally mounting said members adjacent to each otheron said base, and resilient means for normally urging said memberstowards each other so that said recesses provide the chamber.

'7. A pen desk set comprising a member having a recess therein forreceiving the pen nib end of a fountain pen or the like, a second memberadjacent to said first member having a recess therein adapted tocooperate with the recessof said rst member to provide a portion forsupporting the fountain pen, a base, means for pivotally mounting saidmembers to permit said members to be moved apart and towards each other,resilient means for urging said members toward each other, andadjustable means adaptdirection.

9. A pen desk set comprising a base, a pair of hinge members pivotallymounted on said base, a clamping member connected to each of said hingemembers, said clamping members having cooperating recesses thereinproviding a chamber for receiving the end of a fountain pen, resilientmeans associated with said hinge members for normally urging saidclamping members towards each other to hold the fountain pen in thechamber, and a supporting member on said base for supporting theAopposite end of the pen.

10. A fountain desk set comprising a base, a pair of partible membersadjacent to each other, and hinge means for mounting said members onsaid base, said members having cooperating recesses for receiving `thenib end of a fountain pen between them and having a notch portion at thetop thereof to facilitate placing the pen into said recesses by movingthe pen downwardly with respect to said members', said members having arecess at said notch portion for receiving a bead or rib on the pen toguide the pen between said members.

ll. A fountain desk set comprising a base, a pair of partible membersadjacent to each other, and hinge means for mounting said members onsaid base, said members having cooperating recesses for receiving thenib end of a fountain pen between them and having a notch portion at thetop thereof to facilitate placing the pen into said recesses by movingthe pen downwardly with respect to said members, said members having adownwardly converging recess at said notch portion for guiding a bead orrib on the pen to properly position the pen in the recesses between saidmembers.

i2. A fountain desk set comprising a base, a pair of partible membersadjacent to each other, hinge means for mounting said members on saidbase, said members having cooperating recesses for receiving the nib endof a fountain pen between them and having a notch portion at the topthereof to facilitate placing the pen into said recesses by moving thepen downwardly with respect to said members, said members having adownwardly converging recess at said notch portion for guiding a bead orrib on the pen to properly position the pen in the recesses between saidmembers, and resilient means for urging said members towards each other.

13. A base for a fountain pen desk set, comprising a base member havinga recess on the underside thereof adapted to receive a weight member,lug portions in said recess extending downwardly therein to space theweight member from the underside of the base member at said recess, anda weight member secured to said lug portions having its bottomsubstantially fiush with the bottom of the base member, said base memberhaving means at thek top thereof for mounting a pen supporting device.

14. A fountain pen desk set comprising a base, a pair of partiblemembers adjacent each other, hinge means for mounting said members onsaid base, and resilient means associated with said hinge means fornormally urging said partible members toward each other, said membershaving cooperating recesses providing a chamber for receiving the nibend of a fountain pen and having a flared guiding recess adjacent saidfirst recess to facilitate prying said members apart in opposition tosaid resilient means by moving th pen towards the chamber.

l5. A fountain pen desk set comprising a base, a pair of partiblemembers adjacent each other, hinge means for mounting said members onsaid base, and resilient means associated with said hinge means fornormally urging said partible members toward each other, said membershaving cooperating recesses providing a chamber for receiving lthe nibend of aV fountain pen and having a notch portion at the top thereof tofacilitate prying said members apart in opposition to said resilientmeans by moving the pen downwardly towards the chamber.

i6. A pen desk set comprising a base, a pair of adjacent substantiallysymmetrical partible members each having a longitudinal recess closed atone end and facing the recess of the other member to provide a chamberfor the nib end of a fountain pen or the like, means for pivotallymounting said members on said base to permit said members to be movedapart and towards each other, and adjustable means adapted to limit themovement of said members toward each other to cause the recesses of saidmembers to register and provide the chamber. f

MILFORD GUY SYPHER.

